CPGR

What CPGR does

CPGR (Centre for Proteomic & Genomic Research) is a South African non-profit organization headquartered in Cape Town that operates a connected OMICS services ecosystem spanning genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. Founded in 2006 through a strategic initiative by South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the organization provides researchers and clinicians across Africa with access to an integrated instrument stack that would be cost-prohibitive for most individual institutions to acquire. Its service portfolio includes next-generation sequencing (Illumina NovaSeq 6000, NextSeq, MiSeq, Ion GeneStudio), long-read sequencing (Oxford Nanopore PromethION 24), microarray genotyping (GeneTitan, iScan, including population-optimized PMDA and H3Africa arrays), real-time PCR (QuantStudio 12K Flex with OpenArray), capillary electrophoresis (SeqStudio), nucleic acid extraction (KingFisher, QIAcube), mass spectrometry proteomics (Bruker timsTOF Pro 2, Sciex TripleTOF 6600, Thermo Q-Exactive Orbitrap), Olink protein arrays, and downstream bioinformatics pipelines extended via the CLARITY Marketplace.

CPGR's customer base is concentrated in South African academic and clinical institutions — including Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, University of the Free State, Tygerberg Hospital, and JDW Pathology — with secondary segments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, agricultural and environmental researchers, and OMICS trainees. The organization also participates in the pan-African H3Africa Consortium spanning more than 30 African countries. Revenue is generated entirely through project-based, quote-priced professional services across the five service verticals, supplemented by training fees through CPGR Academy and consultation revenue through CPGR Connect; pricing is not publicly disclosed and each engagement is scoped individually. CPGR is ISO 9001:2015 certified across its service processes and reinvests surpluses into infrastructure and capacity development in line with its non-profit mandate.

Name

CPGR

Legal name

Centre For Proteomic & Genomic Research

Website

https://cpgr.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CPGR is a Cape Town-based non-profit founded in 2006 by South Africa's DSTI that delivers project-based genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and OMICS training services to academic, clinical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural researchers across Africa from an integrated multi-platform facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Genomics & Proteomics Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioinformatics, Multi-Omics Data Analysis & Interpretation Services (HLAGANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE), Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM), Biostatistics, Statistical Computing & Clinical Programming (SAS/R/Pipelines) (HLACAOAO)

Keywords

• Genomics services
• Proteomics services
• Bioinformatics analysis
• OMICS research
• Biomarker discovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. OMICS Research Services: CPGR generates revenue through project-based fees for its comprehensive suite of genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatics services. Services include next-generation sequencing, microarray genotyping, real-time PCR, capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry proteomics, and bioinformatics analysis. Projects are bespoke and priced based on scope, sample count, and platform used. The organization operates as a non-profit company, reinvesting surpluses into infrastructure and capacity development.
2. Training and Skills Development (CPGR Academy): Revenue from fee-based training programs including onsite hands-on laboratory courses in OMICS techniques (NGS, bioinformatics, proteomics) and virtual e-learning workshops through the LabVine partnership. Training is priced per participant or course module.
3. CPGR Connect Platform: Consultation and expert advisory services through the CPGR Connect platform, providing project feasibility assessments, study design support, and expert guidance for researchers and industry partners seeking OMICS solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CPGR delivers integrated OMICS research services encompassing genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics from its Cape Town facility. Clients submit samples for next-generation sequencing, long-read sequencing, microarray genotyping, real-time PCR, capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, and Olink protein arrays, with downstream bioinformatics analysis and interpretation. The non-profit also operates CPGR Academy for hands-on and e-learning OMICS training and CPGR Connect for expert consultation.

Product overview

CPGR operates as a connected OMICS ecosystem offering integrated genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics services as a platform of interconnected service modules. The core offerings include Genomics Services (NGS, microarray, RT-PCR, capillary electrophoresis, and long-read sequencing via PromethION 24), Proteomics Services (mass spectrometry and Olink arrays), and Bioinformatics Services. These are supported by CPGR Academy for training and CPGR Connect for consultation. The service architecture combines specialized platforms for sample processing (nucleic acid extraction, quality control), sequencing/analysis (NGS instruments, microarray systems, mass spectrometers), and computational interpretation, enabling end-to-end workflows from sample to biological insight. Partnerships with CLARITY Bioinformatics Marketplace extend bioinformatics capabilities beyond in-house services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CPGR Connect: Launchpad for expert advice, high-impact offers, and resources built to accelerate OMICS research.
• CPGR Academy

Products and services

• Genomics Services Comprehensive genomic analysis services for research, diagnostics, and innovation, leveraging next-generation sequencing, microarray genotyping, real-time PCR, capillary electrophoresis, long-read sequencing, and nucleic acid extraction delivered as bespoke projects to academic, clinical, and commercial clients.
• Proteomics Services Protein expression and interaction analysis using mass spectrometry-based proteomics (Bruker timsTOF Pro 2, Sciex TripleTOF 6600, Thermo Q-Exactive), Olink protein arrays, and metabolomics platforms, decoding molecular phenotypes for research and discovery clients.
• Bioinformatics Services Computational analysis pipelines covering project design, analytical workflows, and data interpretation across genomics, proteomics, and systems biology, including variant detection, gene expression quantification, GWAS, multi-OMICS integration, and custom bioinformatics through the CLARITY marketplace.
• Long-Read Sequencing (PromethION 24) Oxford Nanopore PromethION 24-based long-read sequencing service delivering ultra-long native DNA reads (>50 kb read N50) with 50-100 Gb of data per sample for human whole genome sequencing and complex genomic applications.
• Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) High-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing services using Illumina NovaSeq 6000, NextSeq 500/550, MiSeq, and Ion GeneStudio S5 systems for whole genome, whole exome, targeted, metagenomic, and transcriptomic applications.
• PMDA SNP Microarray Genotyping Service Axiom Precision Medicine Diversity Array (PMDA/PMDA Plus) service providing end-to-end SNP genotyping with over 850,000 SNPs, indels, and copy number variants, optimized for GWAS and precision medicine applications in diverse populations, including African genomes (up to 14.7 million imputable variants).
• RT-PCR / Real-Time PCR Services Real-time PCR gene expression analysis, genotyping, and miRNA profiling using the QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System with support for FAST 96-well plates, 384-well plates, and OpenArray chips for high-throughput applications.
• Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Mass spectrometry-based proteomics and metabolomics services using Bruker timsTOF Pro 2, Sciex TripleTOF 6600, and Thermo Q-Exactive systems with LC solutions including Dionex Ultimate 3000 and Evosep One.
• Olink Protein Arrays Olink Signature Q100-based proximity extension assay for high-throughput protein biomarker analysis supporting differential proteomic profiling and targeted protein quantification.
• Nucleic Acid Extraction & Quality Control DNA and RNA isolation and purification services with automated, semi-automated, and manual extraction methods, including purity assessment, integrity evaluation, and concentration normalization using KingFisher, QIAcube, NanoDrop, TapeStation, and Qubit systems.
• CPGR Academy Skills development and training program offering standardized and custom training in OMICS technologies, including onsite hands-on lab training in NGS, bioinformatics, and proteomics, plus the Foundations in OMICS e-learning workshop delivered in partnership with LabVine, priced per participant or course module.
• CPGR Connect Expert consultation service providing advice, resources, and promotional offers to accelerate OMICS research projects, including free consultations, project feasibility assessments, study design support, and specialized promotions such as long-read sequencing offers, with response guaranteed within 1-2 business days.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.7% average SNP call rate on PMDA microarray platform
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• DSTI (Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSTI is the founding government body that established CPGR as a non-profit organization in 2006 through a strategic initiative. DSTI's support positioned CPGR as a national infrastructure for advancing OMICS research and innovation in South Africa and across Africa. The partnership is foundational to CPGR's mandate and mission.
• DIPLOMICS (National Bioinformatics Parallel Computing Infrastructure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIPLOMICS is a South African national initiative providing bioinformatics infrastructure and resources. CPGR is partnered with DIPLOMICS to facilitate a broader range of bioinformatic services through the CLARITY Bioinformatics Marketplace (a DIPLOMICS initiative), enabling CPGR to offer extended computational analysis capabilities to its clients.
• Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)coreTechnology or IntegrationTIA is a South African government entity that funds and supports technology platforms and innovation infrastructure. Listed alongside DSTI and DIPLOMICS on CPGR's partners page, TIA's involvement supports CPGR's position as an advanced technology platform for proteomic and genomic research.
• CLARITY Bioinformatics Marketplace (A DIPLOMICS Initiative)coreTechnology or IntegrationCPGR is partnered with the CLARITY Bioinformatics Marketplace to facilitate a broader range of bioinformatic services for clients. This partnership extends CPGR's service portfolio by enabling access to additional computational pipelines and specialized bioinformatics tools through the marketplace platform.
• H3Africa Consortium (Human Heredity and Health in Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPGR participates in the H3Africa Consortium, a pan-African initiative supporting large-scale genomic research across more than 30 African countries. CPGR provides access to the Illumina iScan platform for H3Africa-related genotyping projects. The H3Africa array is specifically designed to capture African genetic variation, making CPGR a key service provider for African genomic discovery within this initiative.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Inqaba Biotechnical Industries: South African biotech company headquartered in Pretoria that supplies sequencing reagents, instruments and genomics services across Africa; the most direct domestic peer to CPGR with overlapping product portfolio and customer base.
• Novogene: Specialised NGS and multi-OMICS services company serving academic and pharma customers globally; direct competitor for high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics projects CPGR runs for African researchers.
• Azenta Life Sciences (GENEWIZ): Azenta's genomics services business (formerly GENEWIZ) provides Sanger, NGS, plasmid and cell-line services with global lab footprint; directly comparable commercial peer in next-generation sequencing services for academic and clinical customers.
• CeGAT: German-based genomics and proteomics service provider offering Sanger, NGS, single-cell and bioinformatics services to academic and pharma clients; comparable in scale and service breadth to CPGR's core offerings.
• DNA Link: Korean genomics and forensic services company providing NGS, microarray, targeted sequencing and bioinformatics; another commercial NGS service peer competing for the same academic and clinical research customers.

Broad incumbents

• BGI Genomics: Global genomics and proteomics service provider with the world's largest sequencing capacity; competes with CPGR on large-scale WGS, population genomics and clinical sequencing for African academic and public health clients.
• Eurofins Genomics: Part of Eurofins Scientific, offers commercial DNA sequencing, genotyping, oligonucleotide synthesis and bioinformatics services worldwide; broad incumbent that could serve African clients seeking turnkey genomics outsourcing.
• Macrogen: Korean-headquartered genomics and precision medicine service provider offering NGS, microarray, clinical sequencing and bioinformatics; a long-standing global commercial peer to CPGR's core services.

Emerging players

• Strand Life Sciences: India-based precision medicine and bioinformatics company combining genomics, clinical interpretation and analytics software; comparable to CPGR's bioinformatics and clinical genomics offerings but with a stronger software/data orientation.

Regional players

• African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID): Pan-African genomics research centre at Redeemer's University, Nigeria, focused on infectious disease genomics with its own sequencing capacity; adjacent African peer that competes for H3Africa and donor-funded genomic research projects in West Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCPGR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cpgr
• Instagraminstagram.com/cpgr___
• TikToktiktok.com/@cpgr_genomics
• Xx.com/TheCPGR

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CPGR